Wall construction



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Erun'nEf/au er United States Patent 3,112,533 WALL GNSTRUCTEN Erwin Franz Honor, 4%) Academy St, New Haven, 6mm. Filed May 2, 1960, Ser. No. 25,952 4 Tia-inns. {CL 259-15) The present invention relates generally to an architectural wall construction, although for the purposes of this invention it will be understood that the term wall construction is to be broadly construed so as to cover any vertical or horizontal surface.

A primary object of my invention is the provision of a wall construction which possesses a high degree of strength for a minimum amount of material.

A further object is the provision of a wall construction which may fun tion as a light-transmitting screen, it being possible to vary the amount of light capable of being transmitted therethrough, and it also being possible to vary the reflectivity effected by the wall.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a wall construction which, in effect, comprises spaced paralel surfaces but which nevertheless may be made from a single sheet of material.

Still another object is the tion which may tive forms.

provision of a wall constructake a wide variety of artistic and attrac- Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 shows a sheet of material from which one form of the instant invention may be made;

FIG. 1-A is a sectional view of the sheet shown in FIG. 1 during an intermediate stage of its manipulation to form a completed wall;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sheet of FIG. 1 at a further stage of its manipulation during the formation of a completed wall;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View illustrating a finished wall made from the sheet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective View illustrating a modified component from which the wall shown in FIG. 3 may be made;

PEG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating still another modified component from which the wall shown in PEG. 3 may be made;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sheet of material from which a modified wall construction may be made;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sheet of HG. 6 in an intermediate stage of its manipulation during the formation of a completed wall;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing a completed wall made from the sheet illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 illustrates still another sheet of material from which a further modified wall may be made;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a completed wall made from the sheet of FIG. 9; I

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the wall shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a further modification of a wall constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGS. 13 through 16 illustrate various other forms in which a sheet of material may be slit to arrive at a wall substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. l6A is an elevational view showing a completed wall made from the sheet illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIGS. 17 through 20 illustrate various means of inter- Patented Dec. 3, 1963 FIG. 23 is a section taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 21.

Referring now to the drawhigs and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, there is shown generally at to a wall construction embodying the instant invention. I prefer to make the wall it) from a single sheet of material 12, it being emphasized that the sheet 12 may be of any desirable and suitable material, such as sheet metal, paper board, or the like. A series of parallel fold lines are provided in the sheet 12 as at 14, said fold lines dividing the sheet into a series of webs which are eventually to become side webs 16, top webs l8 and bottom webs 20. The top and bottom webs are slit as at 22 to provide in each web a series of spaced, integrally struck tabs 24, the function of which will hereinafter become apparent. it will be noted that the tabs 24 extend completely across their respective web sections whereby each tab is bendable along its own fold line 14a. It will further be noted that the bottom tabs are staggered with respect to the top tabs.

In order to manipulate sheet 12 to arrive at completed wall it), the sheet is first bent along fold lines 14' so as to provide an undulating wall which in cross section assumes the appearance illustrated in FIG.1A. It will be seen that when the sheet 12 has been bent to assume the formation shown in FIG. 1-A, a series of reversely extending channels are actually provided. The next step is to take the tabs 24 and reversely bend them along their fold lines 14a until they come into engagement with the next adjacent side web 16 whereby the completed wall 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be eifected. In some cases, it may be desirable to secure the leading edge 26 of each tab 24 to the side web 16 with which it comes into engagement after having been reversely bent. This securement can be effected by means of a butt weld or by any other suitable means. However, where the sheet 12 is of sulficiently rigid metal or the like, securernent may not be necessary, but rather simply bending the tabs 24 into engagement with side web 16, as aforedescribed, may be sufficient.

It will therefore be seen that wall prises two spaced parallel surfaces, one of whichvis de- :fined by top webs 18 and the tabs 24 bent therefrom, and the other of which is defined by bottom webs 29 and their associated tabs. The two surfaces are interconnected and integrated by means of the continuous and unbroken side webs 16 which extend therebetween. It will furthermore be seen that the openings 28 which are provided when tabs 2-4 are reversely bent as aforedescribed cause the completed wall to be light transmitting. In effect, the completed wall 10 assumes a checkerboard-like pattern and appearance.

In (FIGS. 4 and 5,

10 actually comslightly modified techniques are shown for arriving at the completed wall -10 shown in FIG. 3. In these forms of my invention, the completed wall is not fabricated from a single sheet but rather is made up by interconnecting a series of tubes 30, as shown in FIG. 4, or strips 32 shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the tube 30 is provided with a series of reversely bent, integrally struck tabs 34 which are the counterpart of the tabs 24 shown in FIG. 1. Side walls as of tube 30 are the equivalent of side webs 16 in FIG. 1, while the opposite walls 38 and function as the equivalent of top and bottom webs 18 and 20, respectively. It will be obvious that by interconnecting a series of tubes 3-0, the completed wall 10 will be effected. In PEG; 5, the strip 32 has been slit and bent to provide the oppositely extending tabs 42. By placing and securing a flat strip 44, similar in shape and size to wall 46, between each pm'r of a succession of strips 32, we will once again arrive at completed wall 10. It is also possible to eliminate use of strip 44 completely, in which event a completed wall could be formed by aligning strips 32 in side-by-side relation with the tabs 42 of adjacent strips in overlapping relation with respect to each other, and then securing said Oven-lapping tabs to each other.

In FIGS. 6 through 8, a modified wall construction is shown generally at 43. Actually, wall 48 is constructed in an identical manner as aforedescribed wall ltl with the exception of the fact that the tabs are slit on a bias whereby they extend angularly when reversely bent. More specifically, the sheet 50 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with fold lines 52 dividing the sheet into side webs 54-, top webs 56 and bottom webs 58. The top and bottom webs are slit on a bias as at so whereby to provide tabs 62 which when reversely bent along their fold lines 52a will extend angularly as will be clearly apparent from inspection of FIG. 8. As here-inbefore mentioned, construction-wise the wall 43 is substantially identical to wall 10, but ttrom an appearance standpoint it assumes a highly attractive and unique appearance since the openings 64- assume a hexagonal configuration due to the fact that the reversely bent tabs will diagonally cross the opposed spaced parallel web section.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate still another form of my invention. In this form, the completed wall 66 assumes the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, it being noted that in this construction the side webs are no longer parallel with respect to each other as was the case in the wall construction hereinbefore described and illustrated. Quite to the contrary, each adjacent side web in wall 66 extends angularly toward each other, it being noted that alternate side webs are in substantially pan allel relation. Referring to FIG. 9, it will be seen that sheet 68 is provided with fold lines 70 defining side webs 72, top webs 74- and bottom webs 76. The top and bottom webs are slit as at '78 to provide tabs 86 bendable along their fold lines 79a. The sheet 63 is then manipulated in the same manner as aforedescribed sheet 12 except that the folds are no longer at right angles, whereupon adjacent side webs extend angularly (toward each other, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 10. When the tabs 80 are now reversely bent, it follows that, as a result of the relative angular inclination between adjacent side webs, the said tab will overlap the side web with which it makes engagement, and hence an additional fold line 76b is provided across each tab, it being ap parent that the distance between fold lines 70a and 7012 will be substantially equal to the spacing between the divergent ends of adjacent side webs. Thus, as will be seen clearly in FIG. 10, the end portion 89a of each tab is the portion which overlaps the next adjacent side web, and if desired, may be secured thereto by any suitable means. As will be seen from the foregoing, each alternate side web will automatically be parallel to each other, and although the specific angular inclination of the side webs is not critical, it will be seen that as the angular inclination becomes greater, the light transmitting capacity of the wall is correspondingly reduced. This, of course, is due to the fact that the divergent ends of adjacent side webs define the size of the openings in the wall. It should be pointed out, however, that although the light transmitting capacity of wall 66 is reduced, this particular wall construction is highly light reflecting, it being obvious that the angularly extending side webs 72 will result in a high degree of light diffusion and reflection. It is additionally pointed out that this particular wall construction has been found to have a high degree of strength against stresses and strains in view of the angular inclination of the side webs.

In FIG. 11, a wall construction 32 is shown in which the angular inclination of adjacent side webs 84 is such that said side webs actually meet each other, thereby defining a triangular configuration. In this construction, the reversely bent tabs 36 will overlap the side web with which it makes engagement for virtually the entire extent of the said bent tabs. It will further be obvious that in this form of my invention the wall construction is such that the passage of light there-through is completely blocked. A structurally strong wall is provided, however, since, as aforementioned, the inclined side webs meet, thereby bracing each other against lateral buckling. This form of my invention has particular utility as a grating or the like and is advantageous over conventional gratings in that a better bearing surface is provided on opposite sides of the wall. Thus, where such a grating is used on bridges and the like, there would be a lesser tendency for automobile tires to wear than would be the case in conventional gratings where the opposite surfaces are comprised completely of a network of edges.

In FIG. 12, a Wall construction 88 is illustrated in which the side webs 90 are undulated so as to cooperate with each other to provide circular openings 92. In addition, the reversely bent tabs 94 are curved, as are the side webs, whereby a so-called anticlastic membrane results; In order to facilitate curving of the tabs 94, I prefer to strike twoshorter tabs which extend toward each other and are secured at joint $5, rather than having a single tab bridging the entire space between adjacent side webs, as was the case in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. Preferably, this form of my invention is made by following the fabrication technique disclosed and described in connection with FIG. 5 of the drawings wherein the tabs of separate strips are secured to each other to effect a completed Wall. In addition to possessing a relatively high degree of strength, wall 88 also provides an extremel pleasing and attractive appearance, and at the same time is highly reflective to light, in addition to being highly light transmitting.

The idea of striking shorter tabs which extend toward and are joined to each other, as discussed in the paragraph immediately preceding, is actually applicable to any form of my invention. More specifically, as illustrated in FlGS. 13 through 15, it is not necessary that the tabs be slit along the fold lines 93, but rather they can be slit half-way between, as at ltltl (FIG. 13) or nearer one of the fold lines, as at 162 (FIG. 14) or even on a bias, as at lthi (FIG. 15). In all of these cases, two smaller tabs 1% are provided which extend toward and complement each other, whereby when joined at their meeting edges, one complete tab spanning adjacent side webs is provided. Another variation of this same idea is illustrated in FIG. 16 wherein the complementary tabs 1598 are of a divergent configuration, whereupon when the sheet is folded in a manner similar to the manipulative steps described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 3 and the meeting edges of the tabs 168 joined, a completed wall will be formed having the appearance shown in FIG.

In any of the foregoing forms where two tabs meet to span the space between adjacent side webs, it will be apparent that if the adjacent side webs are parallel with.

respect to each other, then the meeting edges of the complementaiy tabs would have to be joined by a butt weld or the like. If, however, adjacent side webs are inclined, then the meeting edges of the complementary tabs maybe overlappel and joined by a spot or resistance weld as shown in FIG. 17; by a form of butt weld as shown in FiG. 18; :by riveting as shown in FIG. 19; or by a mechanical crimp interlock as illustrated in FIG. 20. It will be understood that any of the foregoing interconnecting means may be employed to effect the joints 96 in wall 88 illustrated in FIG. 12, as well as in effecting the connection between overlapping tabs 42 when strips 32 are being joined to form a completed wall, as discussed in connection with FIG. 5. In this connection, it will be understood that reference is made to the form of FIG. 5 wherein strip '44 is not utilized.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A wall construction comprising an undulating surface comprising a series of side webs interconnected successively and alternately by top and bottom webs whereby to provide a succession of reversely extending channels, each of said top and bottom webs having a plurality of spaced integrally struck tabs reversely bent into engagement with the next adjacent side web, said top and bottom tabs being staggered with respect to each other, and each of said tabs being secured to the side web with which it is in engagement.

2. The wall construction of claim 1 further characterized in that said tabs aire struck on a bias so as to extend an gu-larly into engagement with the next adjacent side Web.

3. The wall construction of claim 1 further characterized in that each side web is angularly disposed with respect to the next adjacent side web, alternate side webs being substantially parallel to each other.

4. The wall construction of claim 3 further characterized in that the angular disposition of adjacent side Webs is such that they make engagement with each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 537,036 Hayes Apr. 9, 1895 601,873 Fug-man Apr. 5, 1898 696,358 Bailey Mar. 25, 1902 1,713,903 Hinkson May 21, 1929 2,050,512 Trytten Aug. ll, 1936 2,050,935 Dresser Aug. 11, 1936 2,092,667 Dresser Sept. 7, 1937 2,277,217 Faber Mar. 2, 1939 

1. A WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN UNDULATING SURFACE COMPRISING A SERIES OF SIDE WEBS INTERCONNECTED SUCCESSIVELY AND ALTERNATELY BY TOP AND BOTTOM WEBS WHEREBY TO PROVIDE A SUCCESSION OF REVERSELY EXTENDING CHANNELS, EACH OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WEBS HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED INTEGRALLY STRUCK TABS REVERSELY BENT INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEXT ADJACENT SIDE WEB, SAID TOP AND BOTTOM TABS BEING STAGGERED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, AND EACH OF SAID TABS BEING SECURED TO THE SIDE WEB WITH WHICH IT IS IN ENGAGEMENT. 